Medical examination system enabling interchangeable operating modes

ABSTRACT

An examination system having separate enabled interchangeable operating modes includes at least one medical device having a housing retaining an optical system. The examination system further includes an adapter that is configured for aligning a plurality of disparate smart devices with the optical system of the medical device when the adapter is attached to the medical device, thereby enabling multiple operating modes without modification to the device. In at least one version, common engagement features are provided on a plurality of medical devices to permit the adapter and an attached smart device to be used therewith interchangeably.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 15/495,065, filedApr. 24, 2017, and entitled: Medical Examination System EnablingInterchangeable Operating Modes, which claims priority under relevantportions of 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Ser. No. 62/327,154, filed Apr. 25,2016, and entitled: Medical Examination System Enabling InterchangeableOperating Modes. The entire contents of each application are hereinincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is generally directed to the field of diagnosticmedicine and more specifically to a system having at least onestand-alone medical examination or diagnostic device, in which thedevice can assume or be configured to assume separate interchangeableoperating modes. These modes can include a visual mode as well as anelectronic viewing mode using an attached smart device. An adapterattached to the at least one medical examination or diagnostic device isconfigured to support and align one or one of a plurality of disparatesmart devices relative to the optical axis of the medical device(s).

BACKGROUND

Hand-held diagnostic devices are well known in the medical field forpurposes of conducting a patient examination, e.g., a wellnessexamination that would be typically conducted by a primary physician,physician's assistant (PA) or other health care provider, clinician, orcaregiver. To that end, a number of disparate devices are routinely usedfor examining specific medical targets of interest, such as the eyes(ophthalmoscope), ears (otoscope), nose (rhinoscope), skin(dermatoscope), vagina (vagiscope and colposcope), anus (anoscope) andthe like.

Some or all of these medical diagnostic instruments may include opticalversions having an eyepiece disposed at one end of an instrumenthousing. Alternatively, electronic versions are also known having anelectronic imager that captures a digital image of the intended medicaltarget. More recently, so-called “smart devices”, (e.g., smart phones,tablets and the like), have been incorporated for use with a medicalexamination or diagnostic device. One such example is the iExaminer®ophthalmoscope, which is manufactured and sold by Welch Allyn, Inc. ofSkaneateles Falls, N.Y. Features relating to use of a smart device witha medical examination or diagnostic device herein are more completelydescribed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,596 B2 and U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0103317A1, the entire contentsof each being herein incorporated by reference.

Reference is herein made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a known medicaldiagnostic device (i.e., an ophthalmoscope 10), which is configured toretain a smart device (more specifically, a smart phone). Theophthalmoscope 10 is defined by an instrument housing 14 that includes adistal end 16 and an opposing proximal end 18 and an interior sized andconfigured to retain a plurality of components. An optical system and anillumination system (not shown) are each retained within the interior ofthe instrument housing 14 and configured to enable viewing the eye of apatient (not shown). Features relating to a typical ophthalmoscope foruse herein is more completely described in greater detail in U.S. Pat.No. 6,065,837, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated byreference.

A supporting fixture 20 fixedly secured to the proximal end 18 of theinstrument housing 14 is configured to support an attached smart device32. More specifically, the supporting fixture 20 is defined by aframe-like structure having an open top or upper end as well as a pairof parallel channels or slots 24 that are disposed along opposinglateral sides, enabling a specific smart device 32 (e.g., an iphone 4.0)to be releasably attached. The supporting fixture 20 further includes acylindrically shaped nose section (not shown) made from a flexiblematerial that is configured to fully cover the eyepiece of theophthalmoscope 10. When the smart phone 32 is attached, the supportingfixture 20 retains the smart device 32 in a single defined position thatprovides the necessary alignment for the optics of the smart device 32relative to the contained optical system (not shown) of theophthalmoscope 10.

In use, the display of the attached smart device 32 is used to providedigital images of an intended medical target and in which a phoneapplication stored into the memory of the smart phone 32 enables theinstrument to be operated by a user. The supporting fixture 20 enablesthe optics of the smart phone 32 to be specifically aligned with theoptical system of the ophthalmoscope 10, when the smart device 32 isattached thereto. A shortcoming of this system is that the supportingfixture 20 is only configured to adequately retain the specific smartdevice 32. Other smart devices cannot be similarly supported.

The foregoing is significant because alignment between the optics of anattached smart device and the optical system of a stand-alone medicaldiagnostic or examination device is critical to performance.Additionally, there is a general and pervasive need in the field ofmedical diagnostics to enable or provide medical examination ordiagnostic devices with the capability of assuming a plurality ofoperating modes, as needed, so as to provide greater versatility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Therefore and according to one aspect, there is provided a medicalexamination system comprising a medical device including a housinghaving an optical system within an interior of the housing. The opticalsystem is defined by an optical axis and configured to operate in anoptical viewing mode using an eyepiece. The system further comprises anadapter for aligning a digital camera of a smart device with the opticalsystem of the medical device to enable a separate electronic operatingmode, each of the adapter and the medical device having complementaryfeatures to permit attachment of the adapter to the medical device, theadapter having at least one feature configured to permit each of aplurality of different sized smart devices to be attached to the adapterand in alignment with the optical system of the medical device when theadapter is attached thereto.

According to at least one version, an aligning mechanism includes atleast one interface plate interconnecting the smart device and themedical examination device. In an embodiment, the at least one interfaceplate can be secured, such as adhesively, to the housing of the smartdevice and in which the medical examination device is releasablyattached to the secured at least one interface plate. A mount oralignment assembly or fixture can be provided in order to initiallyposition the at least one interface plate relative to the smart deviceand in a predetermined location, the adapter having an portionconfigured to engage the at least one interface plate. Preferably, theinterface plate is metal and the portion of the adapter includes atleast one magnet for releasably securing the interface platespecifically thereon.

The medical device can include a proximal end having a device receivingportion that is configured to releasably engage a device connectionportion of the adapter wherein the adapter includes an opening that isaligned with the camera aperture of the digital camera of the smartdevice when the smart device is attached via the at least one interfaceplate. The opening of the adapter is aligned with the viewing axis ofthe medical device when the adapter is attached to the medical device.

According to at least one version, the adapter includes a leverconfigured for releasing the adapter from the medical device.Additionally, the device connection portion of the adapter can include aspring-loaded pin that is movable into and out of a defined recess sizedto engage the proximal receiving portion of the medical device, whereinthe lever is movable to a position to release the pin and assist inreleasing the adapter from the medical device.

When attached, the adapter can be moved to a plurality of mountingpositions relative to the viewing or optical axis of the medical device.Moreover, the adapter positions the smart device at the convergencepoint of the eyepiece, thereby placing the smart device in the sameposition as the viewer's eye in the viewing mode.

A plurality of different medical examination or diagnostic devices canbe provided, each of the medical devices having a proximal receivingportion that is configured for engaging the device connection portion ofthe adapter.

According to another aspect, there is provided an adapter configured forattachment to at least one medical device, the adapter comprising asupport surface configured to retain one of a plurality of differentsized smart devices. The support surface includes a portion thatreceives an alignment feature of each smart device to align the cameraaperture of an attached smart device with a formed opening. Each of theplurality of smart devices includes a digital camera wherein theadapter, when attached, is configured to align the digital camera withthe optical system of a medical examination device. The adapter furthercomprises a device connection portion configured for engaging a proximalreceiving portion of a medical device such that, when attached, theopening of the adapter is aligned with the optical axis of the medicaldevice.

The adapter can include at least one feature for enabling release of theadapter from the medical device such as a lever. In one version, thelever is configured to cooperate with a spring loaded pin of theproximal receiving portion of the medical device.

According to one version, the portion of the support surface includes atleast one magnet for engaging the alignment feature of the smart device.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a medical devicecomprising a housing, an optical system disposed within the housingincluding an eyepiece enabling an optical viewing mode; and a proximalreceiving portion configured for engaging an adapter retaining a smartdevice to enable the medical device to assume an electronic imagingmode.

According to one version, the proximal receiving portion retains a setof eyepiece optics. The proximal receiving portion can be defined in atleast one embodiment as a cylindrical section having a channel and alipped portion configured for releasably engaging a device connectionportion of the adapter supporting the smart device.

The medical device can be at least one of a plurality of disparatemedical diagnostic instruments including at least one from the groupconsisting essentially of dermatoscopes, otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes,colposcopes, rhinoscopes, each of the instruments being configured toengage the adapter.

According to yet another aspect, a medical instrument examining systemcomprises a first medical examination device having a distal end, aproximal end and an optical system aligned along an optical axis and asecond medical examination device having a distal end, a proximal endand an optical system aligned along an optical axis. Each of the firstand second medical examination devices has a proximal receiving portionconfigured for releasably engaging a device connection portion of theadapter and in which the adapter includes an opening that is alignedwith the optical axis of the first and second medical examination devicewhen the adapter.

The adapter includes a supporting member configured to retain a smartdevice having a camera, the adapter being configured for retaining thesmart device such that the camera of the smart device is automaticallyaligned with the opening of the adapter and the optical axis of thefirst and second medical examination devices.

One advantage realized by the herein described medical examinationsystem is greater versatility by permitting interchangeable attachmentof an eyepiece and an electronic device, such as a smart device, with atleast one stand-alone medical examination device. In the inventivesystem, for example, a number of smart devices can be separably attachedand aligned with the optics contained within at least one or morediscrete stand-alone medical devices using a generic adapter and aninterface that permits the adapter to be connected without modificationto a number of medical devices.

Another advantage provided by the herein described system is that eitherminor or no modifications are required to enable the interchangeableoperating modes and in which the adapter used enables repeatablealignment between the optical elements of the stand-alone medical deviceand the eyepiece or smart device.

These and other features and advantages will be readily apparent fromthe following Detailed Description, which should be read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent when taken in conjunction with the following descriptionand drawings wherein identical reference numerals have been used, wherepossible, to designate identical features that are common to thefigures, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stand-alone medical diagnostic orexamination device having a smart device attached thereto in accordancewith a previously known attachment fixture or frame;

FIG. 2(a) is a top perspective view of an alignment assembly inaccordance with an embodiment, the alignment assembly including analignment fixture and an interface plate;

FIG. 2(b) is the top perspective view showing the alignment fixture ofFIG. 2A with a retained interface plate;

FIG. 2(c) is a perspective view of a smart device disposed in relationto the alignment fixture of FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b);

FIG. 2(d) is a top perspective view of the smart device on the alignmentfixture of FIGS. 2(a)-2(c) for purposes of attaching the interface platethereto;

FIG. 2(e) is a bottom perspective view of the alignment assembly of FIG.2(d);

FIG. 2(f) is a front perspective view showing the attachment of astand-alone medical diagnostic or examination device to a smart deviceusing the attached interface plate of FIGS. 2(a)-2(e);

FIG. 2(g) is a rear perspective view showing the attachment of the smartdevice of FIG. 2(f) to the stand-alone medical diagnostic or examinationdevice;

FIG. 2(h) is a rear perspective view of the stand-alone medicaldiagnostic or examination device and attached smart device of FIGS. 2(f)and 2(g), including a display relating to optical alignment;

FIG. 2(i) is a front perspective view of the stand-alone medicaldiagnostic or examination device and attached smart device of FIGS.2(f)-2(h);

FIG. 2(j) is a top perspective view of an alignment fixture made inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 2(k) is a side perspective view of the alignment fixture of FIG.2(j);

FIG. 2(l) is another top perspective view of the alignment fixture ofFIGS. 2(j) and 2(k);

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a calibration target that can beconfigured for use with the assemblies of FIGS. 2(h)-2(k);

FIG. 4(a) depicts an exploded perspective view of a medical instrumentassembly in accordance with another embodiment including a stand-alonemedical diagnostic or examination device and various interface platesfor use in enabling the aligned attachment of a smart device;

FIG. 4(b) depicts a side perspective view of the medical instrumentassembly of FIG. 4(a), with the interface plates as attached to thesmart device;

FIG. 4(c) depicts the side perspective view of the medical instrumentassembly of FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) in a nearly assembled condition;

FIG. 4(d) illustrates a rear perspective view of the stand-alone medicaldiagnostic or examination device of FIGS. 4(a)-4(c), including magneticareas configured for alignment with a smart device;

FIG. 4(e) illustrates a front perspective view of the smart device ofFIG. 4(d) having the interface plates attached thereto;

FIG. 4(f) illustrates a rear perspective view of the stand-alone medicaldiagnostic or examination device of FIGS. 4(a)-4(d) having interfaceplates attached thereto;

FIGS. 5(a)-5(d) depict rear perspective views of a medical instrumentassembly showing various assembled and unassembled operating modesbetween a first stand-alone medical device, an eyepiece, and a smartdevice in which the eyepiece and smart device can be interchangeablyattached to the first stand-alone medical device to enable the variousoperating modes;

FIGS. 6(a)-6(d) depict rear perspective views of another medicalinstrument assembly showing various assembled and unassembled operatingmodes between a second stand-alone medical device, an eyepiece and asmart device in which the eyepiece and smart device are interchangeablyattached to the second stand-alone medical device to enable the variousoperating modes;

FIGS. 7(a)-7(d) depict rear perspective views of yet another medicalinstrument assembly showing various assembled and unassembled operatingmodes between another stand-alone medical device, an eyepiece and asmart device in which the eyepiece and smart device are interchangeablyattached to the stand-alone medical device to enable the variousoperating modes;

FIGS. 8(a)-8(d) depict rear perspective views of still another medicalinstrument assembly showing various assembled and unassembled operatingmodes between another stand-alone medical device, an eyepiece and asmart device in which the eyepiece and smart device are interchangeablyattached to the depicted stand-alone medical device in order to enablethe various operating modes;

FIG. 9(a) is a side perspective view of a stand-alone medical diagnosticor examination device configured to support an aligned smart deviceusing an adapter in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 9(b) is an exploded assembly view of the medical diagnostic orexamination device, adapter and smart device of FIG. 9(a);

FIG. 9(c) is a side perspective view of another stand-alone medicaldiagnostic or examination device as configured to support an alignedsmart device using an adapter;

FIG. 9(d) is an exploded assembly view of the stand-alone medicaldiagnostic or examination device and smart device of FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)and an adapter made in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view of a medical examination device made inaccordance with another embodiment and configured to provide an opticalviewing mode;

FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of the medical examination device ofFIG. 10(a) having an attached smart device, the medical examinationdevice being configured in an electronic viewing mode;

FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view of a medical examination device made inaccordance with another embodiment in which the device is configured inan optical viewing mode;

FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view of the medical examination device ofFIG. 11(a), including an attached smart device, the medical examinationdevice being configured in an electronic viewing mode;

FIG. 12(a) is a perspective view of another medical diagnostic orexamination device having a smart device attached thereto in accordancewith another embodiment, the smart device being disposed in a specificadjustable mounting orientation;

FIG. 12(b) is another perspective view of the medical diagnostic orexamination instrument of FIG. 12(a), with the attached smart device inanother adjustable mounting orientation;

FIG. 13(a) is a perspective view of another medical diagnostic orexamination device having a smart device attached thereto in accordancewith yet another embodiment, the smart device being disposed in aspecific adjustable mounting orientation;

FIG. 13(b) is the perspective view of the medical diagnostic orexamination instrument of FIG. 13(a), the attached smart device beingdisposed in another adjustable mounting orientation;

FIG. 14(a) is a front facing view of an adapter made in accordance withanother embodiment;

FIG. 14(b) is an end view of the adapter of FIG. 14(a);

FIG. 14(c) is the front facing view of the adapter of FIGS. 14(a) and14(b), with a lever moved to a depressed position;

FIG. 15(a) is a side elevational view of a medical examination devicesupporting a smart device using the adapter of FIGS. 14(a)-14(c);

FIG. 15(b) is a front facing view of the medical examination device ofFIG. 15(a); and

FIG. 15(c) is the side elevational view of medical examination device ofFIGS. 15(a) and 15(b), showing the interface between a proximalreceiving portion and the adapter shown in section.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an optical layout for a stand-alonemedical diagnostic or examination device in accordance with anembodiment, the device including an attached smart device and includingmovable optics provided within the stand-alone medical device;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an optical layout of the stand-alonemedical device of FIG. 16, including a coupled eyepiece defining anoptical viewing mode;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an optical layout for a stand-alonemedical diagnostic or examination device in accordance with anotherembodiment, the device including movable optics contained in the deviceand an attached smart device defining an electronic imaging mode;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of an optical layout of the stand-alonemedical device of FIG. 18, including a coupled eyepiece;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of an optical layout for an illuminationsystem of a stand-alone medical diagnostic or examination device inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a mounting fixture in accordance withan embodiment for various components of the herein described medicalexamination system;

FIG. 22(a) is a side elevational view of another medical diagnostic orexamination device in accordance with another embodiment; and

FIG. 22(b) depicts the medical device of FIG. 22(a) in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description relates to certain embodiments of a medicalexamination system that includes at least one stand-alone medicaldiagnostic or examination device that is configured for operation in anumber (at least two (2)) of interchangeable operating modes. In atleast one version, an adapter is configured to generically support oneof a plurality of smart devices, such as smart phones, in which thegeneric adapter is further configured to be attached to one of aplurality of disparate medical examination devices. In another version,a plurality of medical devices are configured with a common or genericinterface enabling a smart device to be used interchangeably with themedical devices.

For purposes of explanation, the specific medical examination ordiagnostic devices described in the following embodiments includeotoscopes for examining the ears of a patient and ophthalmoscopes forexamining aspects of the eyes of a patient. However, it will be readilyapparent that the concepts discussed herein are further applicable to avaried number of other stand-alone medical diagnostic or examinationinstruments or devices, such as but not limited to dermatoscopes,vagiscopes, colposcopes, and anoscopes, among other devices capable ofviewing of a medical target of interest.

In addition, the following description utilizes a number of terms forthe purpose of providing an adequate or suitable frame of reference inrelation to the accompanying drawings. These terms, which may include“inner”, “outer”, “external”, “internal”, “distal”, “proximal”, “above”,“below”, “top”, “bottom” and the like should not be interpreted asnecessarily limiting the intended scope of the invention, including theclaims, unless so specifically indicated.

As used herein, the term “smart device” refers to any apparatus ordevice that is mobile and connected to other devices via wirelessprotocols or networks under IEEE 802.11 including but not limited toWiFi, Bluetooth, 3G and the like. The smart device as defined hereinincludes at least one electronic imaging device (e.g., a digital camera)and related optics, memory and a microprocessor capable of runningapplication software, which may include but is not limited to smartphones and tablets.

As used herein, the term “stand-alone medical diagnostic or examinationdevice” refers to an instrument used to view a medical target ofinterest of a patient which includes an optical system and optionallyincludes an illumination system. Examples of these devices may includebut are not limited to otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, dermatoscopes,vagiscopes and anoscopes for viewing a medical target of interest.

A system according to several embodiments is described herein anddefined by at least one stand-alone medical diagnostic or examinationdevice that can be used interchangeably using an interface that enablesan optical mode as well as an electronic imaging mode. As discussedherein, each of the optical system of the medical device(s) and thecamera of the smart device can be repeatably and reliably aligned toenable dual functionalities without significant modification to thestand alone diagnostic or examination device.

With reference to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) and according to a firstembodiment, an alignment fixture 100 is provided that is used forindexing a smart device prior to attachment to a medical diagnostic orexamination device. As discussed herein, the purpose of the fixture 100is to provide placement of an interface or alignment plate(s) on a smartdevice. The positioning of the interface plate(s) enables properalignment between the camera of the smart device and the optical systemof a medical device to which the smart device is attached. The alignmentfixture 100 according to the depicted version is defined by a raisedplatform 108 having a planar upper or top surface 112, as well as aplurality of legs 116 that extend downwardly from the upper surface 112.One of the legs 116 according to this embodiment includes a supportflange 117 that further includes an optical target 118, such as areticle. An elongate slot 120 formed in the top surface 112 of thealignment fixture 100 is sized and configured to receive an interfaceplate 104.

The interface plate 104 according to this specific embodiment is asubstantially planar section made preferably from metal and including athrough hole 105 and a slot 107, each aligned and spaced from oneanother. According to this embodiment, an upper side 106 of theinterface plate 104 includes an adhesive layer to enable securement tothe front facing surface 144 of a smart device 140 as shown in FIGS.2(c)-2(e) using the alignment fixture 100. More specifically, theinterface plate 104 is positioned within the elongate slot 120 of thealignment fixture 100, with the upper side 106 of the interface plate105 facing upwardly. The smart device 140, which according to thisembodiment is a smart phone, is then brought to the alignment fixture100 with the front facing surface 144 of the smart device 140 facing thetop surface 112 of the alignment fixture 100 and the contained camera146 of the smart device 140 being aimed at the optical target 118.

As shown in these figures, the smart device 140 is activated by the userand an application stored into memory on the smart device 140 isconfigured to provide a target on the display 144, including a crosshair or other aiming means (e.g., a target 148) in order to verify thatthe optical target 118 is centered on the display 144. Once the target148 is centered on the display 144 of the smart device 140, and as shownin FIGS. 2(d) and 2(e), the smart device 140 can be brought into contactwith the adhesive layer 106 of the interface plate 104. The smart device140 and attached interface plate 104 can be subsequently removed fromthe alignment fixture 100 by releasing the interface plate 104 from theretaining slot 120.

With reference to FIGS. 2(f)-2(i), the smart device 140 having theattached interface plate 104 can then be attached to a stand-alonemedical diagnostic or examination device. According to this depictedembodiment, the stand-alone medical or examination device is an otoscope160 that is used for viewing the outer and middle ear of a patient. Theotoscope 160 is defined by a housing 164 that includes an instrumenthead attached to the upper end of a downwardly extending handle, theinstrument head having a distal end and an opposing proximal end as wellas an interior that is sized and configured to retain a number ofoptical elements. The distal end of the instrument head of the otoscope160 includes a conical insertion portion that is configured toreleasably receive a hollow speculum tip element, also having a conicalconfiguration that is designed to be fitted only to a predetermineddistance into the outer ear of a patient (not shown).

According to this version, the rear or proximal facing side surface 176of the instrument housing 164 includes a pair of spaced magnets 180.When assembled and as shown in FIGS. 2(h) and 2(i), the hole 105 andslot 107 of the fixedly secured interface plate 104 provides a specificand repeatable datum with regard to the smart device 140 to enableoptical alignment when the smart device 140 is attached to the otoscope160. When attached, the camera 146 of the attached smart device 140 isspecifically aligned with the optical system of the otoscope 160 andmore specifically a rear or proximal opening 169 of the instrumenthousing 164.

It will be understood that variations of the alignment fixture are alsocontemplated given the need determined by Applicants to precisely andvery accurately align the interface plate properly onto a smart devicefor the herein described examination system. For example and as shown inFIGS. 2(j)-2(l), another alignment fixture 100A is depicted for purposesof aligning a smart device for positioning of at least one interfaceplate (not shown). The alignment fixture 100A, according to thisversion, is defined by a structure having a planar support surface 109A.Respective x-axis and y-axis adjustment assemblies 130A, 134A areengageable with lateral sides of a smart device, and more specifically asmart phone 140A that is positioned onto the top of the planar supportsurface 109A. According to this version, the interface place (not shown)can be placed within a shelf (not shown) located directly beneath theplanar support surface 109A. More specifically, the interface plate(s)is positioned within a defined recess(es) or slot(s) (not shown) in theshelf with an exposed adhesive side of the interface plate(s) facing aslot 110A, FIG. 2(l), of the alignment fixture 100A.

According to this embodiment, the alignment fixture 100A includesrespective x-axis and y-axis adjustment assemblies 130A and 134A thatinclude respective spring-loaded adjustment or support blocks 138A and139A, each set orthogonally to one another on the top of the planarsupport surface 109A. Respective x-axis and y-axis screw adjustmentmembers 137A and 141A, according to this embodiment, are fixedly andthreadingly disposed within the center of a corresponding beam-likemember 143A and 145A in spaced parallel relation to the spring-loadedadjustment blocks 138A and 139A. Each of the beam-like members 143A,145A further include a recessed interior portion 146A and 147A,respectively, that is sized to be placed onto and cover a lateral edgeof a smart device (e.g., smart phone 140A) that is introduced onto thefixture 100A. When mounted, the relative position of the smart phone140A can be laterally shifted wherein vertical movement is restricted bythe beam-like members 143A, 145A, as well as the lateral support surface109A of the alignment fixture 100A.

When the camera of the smart phone 140A is activated, an alignmentapplication stored by the phone memory is programmed to display a set ofcross hairs or other suitable target 148A. The smart phone 140A is thenplaced on the planar support surface 109A with the display side facingupwardly and the camera of the smart phone 140A aligned with a pinhole111A, FIG. 2(l) formed on the planar support surface 109A that isaligned with an optical target 118A disposed beneath the planar supportsurface 109A. A back light (not shown) can be disposed beneath theoptical target 118A to enhance illumination and visualization by thesmart device 140A.

The smart phone 140A is initially set with lateral edges of the smartphone 140A being placed against the spring-loaded support blocks 138Aand 139A. The screw adjustment members 137A, 141A and the beam-likemembers 143A, 145A are retracted sufficiently to allow the smart phone140A to be initially positioned onto the planar support surface 109A.Once crudely positioned and aligned, the x-axis and y-axis adjustmentmembers 130A, 134A are then moved into position using the screwadjustment members 137A, 141A with the beam-like members 143A, 145A, andmore specifically the interior recessed portions 146A and 147A coveringand engaging the lateral edges of the smart phone 140A. Fine adjustmentscan then be made against the bias of the spring loaded support blocks138A, 139A to accurately center the image 149A of the optical target118A on the display 144A and more specifically the cross hairs (target148A) as needed, until the image 149A of an optical target 119A disposedbeneath the planar support surface 109A is centered on the display 144A,and more specifically within the defined cross hairs 148A.

The above procedure can also detect misalignment and tolerancing issuesof the smart device 140A and permit the image 149A of the optical target118A to be as effectively and accurately centered relative to the crosshairs 148A on the display 144A as possible. Such tolerancing andmisalignment issues are minor for typical use of the smart device, butare magnified when used for purposes of optically aligning to a medicaldiagnostic or examination device. Once centered, the shelf retaining theat least one interface plate can be pressed upwardly into contact withthe front facing side of the smart device 140A, adhesively and reliablysecuring the at least one interface plate.

It will be understood that the alignment fixture 100A can be easilymodified to accept smart devices having different configurations andfootprints to permit optical alignment and placement of an interfaceplate(s) as herein described.

When attached in the manner shown herein, the optical parameters of theentire assembly can be calibrated using a calibration target 198, suchas shown in FIG. 3 using the display 144 of the mounted smart phone 140.Optical parameters such as white balance, gray scale and color can beoptimized using an application stored within the smart device or othersuitable means.

It should be understood that the number and location of interface platesused for alignment to a stand-alone medical device can be suitablyvaried provided that the interface plate(s) accurately align a mountedsmart device and more specifically the contained optics of the attachedsmart device with the optical system of the medical diagnostic orexamination device. One alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS.4(a)-4(f) in which a pair of interface plates 204, 208, are provided fordisposition between the rear facing surface 207 of a stand-alone medicaldiagnostic or examination device 200, in this instance an otoscope, andthe front facing surface 223 of a smart device 220, for example, a smartphone. Initially, a pair of interface plates 204, 208 are attached tothe front facing surface 223 of the smart device 220 using an alignmentfixture (not shown) that is similar to that previously shown anddepicted in FIGS. 2(a)-2(l). Though not shown, the process of assemblyis similar in that the alignment fixture includes a raised platform oran upper or top planar surface that further includes a pair of slotsthat are spaced from one another and configured for retaining each ofthe interface plates in a spaced relation. According to this embodiment,the pair of interface plates include a first interface plate 204 and asecond interface plate 208. Also and as in the proceeding, an opticaltarget can be provided on the alignment fixture.

To assemble, each of the first and second interface plates 204, 208 areplaced within the retaining slots on the top surface of the alignmentfixture with the camera of the smart device 220 being aimed at theoptical target and viewed using a cross hair or similar aiming meansprovided on the display of the smart device 220 using an applicationstored within the smart device 220. When the camera of the smart device220 is properly aimed such that the optical target is centered on thecross hairs provided on the display, the smart device 220 can then bebrought into contact with the top surface of the alignment fixture inwhich each of the facing sides of the interface plates 204 and 208include an exposed adhesive layer in order to secure same to the smartdevice 220.

The smart device 220 can then be removed from the alignment fixture andsecured to the rear facing side or surface 207 of the medicalexamination device 200, which according to this embodiment is anotoscope. In at least one version, the rear facing side 207 of themedical examination device 200 includes a pair of magnets 214, 217spaced from one another that receive the smart device 220 and morespecifically the interface plates 204, 208, the latter being positionedto ensure the attached smart device 220, and more specifically thecamera of the smart device 220, is aligned properly with the opticalsystem of the examination device 200.

With reference to FIGS. 5(a)-5(d), there are depicted a number of variedarrangements between a stand-alone medical diagnostic or examinationdevice 300, an eyepiece 320 and a smart device 360, each of the latterbeing interchangeably attached to the proximal end of the medicaldiagnostic device 300.

First and as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the eyepiece 320 can bereleasably engaged with the stand-alone medical examination device 300(i.e., an otoscope). The eyepiece 320 according to this depictedembodiment is defined by a substantially cylindrical housing 324 havingan interior that is configured to retain at least one optical element,such as an objective lens (not shown). The eyepiece 320 can bereleasably attached to the stand-alone medical examination device 300 bymeans of a magnetic interface 309 formed at the proximal end of themedical device 300. According to this embodiment, the magnetic interface309 includes a plurality of retained magnets which are disposed in acircumferential configuration about a proximal opening of the medicaldevice 300. The distal end of the eyepiece 320 is configured to engagethe magnetic interface 309 in a manner in which the contained optics ofthe eyepiece 320 are optically aligned with the contained optics of themedical examination device 300.

The eyepiece 320, according to this specific embodiment. furtherincludes an external focusing knob 328 disposed on the housing 324, thatwhen rotated, is configured to axially shift the position of thecontained optical element, as needed. When coupled to the stand-alonemedical device 300, the external focusing knob 328 can be accessed bythe user and rotated to permit adjustments to be made optically whilethe magnetic interface 309 continues to maintain support and opticalalignment of the eyepiece 320 with the optics of the stand-alone medicaldevice 300.

As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), a similar arrangement can be providedfor another stand-alone medical diagnostic or examination device 400(e.g., an ophthalmoscope) in which the eyepiece 320 can also bereleasably and interchangeably attached to the proximal end 405 of thedevice 400. As in the prior embodiment, the device 400 includes amagnetic interface 409 in which a plurality of retained magnets aredisposed in a circumferential pattern to enable optical alignment withthe stand-alone medical examination device, when the eyepiece 320 isattached. This attachment further enables a user to view the intendedtarget through the proximal end of the eyepiece 320. In use, theeyepiece 320 can be interchangeably attached to either medicaldiagnostic or examination device 300, 400 without modifications beingrequired to either the devices 300, 400 or the eyepiece 320.

Still further and with reference to FIGS. 5(c) and 5(d), and FIGS. 6(c)and 6(d), a smart device 360 can also be separably and interchangeablyattachable to the proximal surface 305, 405 of either medicalexamination or diagnostic device (otoscope 300 or ophthalmoscope 400) inlieu of the eyepiece 320 to provide a separate electronic imaging orviewing mode. According to each of these depicted embodiments, at leastone interface plate is first provided and attached to the front ordistal facing side of the smart device 360 such as using an alignmentfixture (not shown) in a manner previously described—see FIGS.2(a)-2(i). Once the interface plate(s) are attached, the smart device360 can be interchangeably attached to the rear facing or proximalsurface 305, 405 of either medical examination device 300, 400 using atleast a portion of the magnetic interface 309, 409 as well as at leastone other suitably spaced magnet 311, 411, the latter being separatelyprovided on the rear facing surface 305, 405 of the otoscope 300 orophthalmoscope 400 in spaced relation to the interface 309, 409 toproperly locate the smart device 360 in alignment with the containedoptics of the medical examination device 300, 400. It should beunderstood that other configurations are possible.

It should be noted that the design of the medical examination device canbe suitably altered to better accommodate an attached and opticallyaligned smart device for purposes of operation. For example andaccording to FIGS. 7(a)-7(d) and FIGS. 8(a)-8(d), another embodiment ofa medical examination assembly is depicted in which stand-alone medicalexamination devices (otoscope 500 or ophthalmoscope 600) are commonlydefined by a body or housing 504, 604 in which the upper portion of thehandle 508, 608 is curved so as to create an offset of the instrumenthead 510, 610 relative to the handle 508, 608 of the device 500, 600 toenable an attached smart device 360 to be more efficiently centered andbalanced due to the off-center nature of an attached smart device 360.Other suitable variations and configurations will be readily evident,for example, depending on the smart device to be supported in the hereindescribed assembly.

In each of the latter examples, an eyepiece 320 and a smart device 360can be interchangeably used in connection with either medicalexamination device 500, 600. The eyepiece 320 is releasably attached byengagement of the distal end of the eyepiece housing 324 with a magneticinterface 509, 609 formed about the periphery of the proximal opticsopening of the device 500, 600. The smart device 360 is interchangeablymounted using at least one interface plate (not shown in these views)using a technique that is similar to that described in FIGS. 2(a)-2(l),including a suitable alignment fixture having retention slots thatpermit specific placement or positioning of the smart device 360 tofurther provide suitable optical alignment relative to an optical targeton the alignment fixture that is configured to represent the opticalsystem of the otoscope 500 or ophthalmoscope 600 and attached to magnets511, 611 of the medical devices 500, 600 respectively.

In accordance with another embodiment and with reference to FIGS. 9(a)and 9(b) there is shown another stand-alone medical diagnostic orexamination device that can be configured to support a smart device toprovide versatility through an enhanced electronic viewing modeAccording to this version, the medical examination or examination deviceis an otoscope 700, such as the Macroview otoscope manufactured and soldby Welch Allyn, Inc. of Skaneateles Falls, N.Y. This device is describedmore completely in U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,275, the entire contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference. The otoscope 700 according to thisembodiment includes a cylindrical handle portion 704 having an uppernecked portion 706 that supports an instrument head 708. The handleportion 704 includes a battery compartment (not shown) that retains aset of stacked batteries (not shown) that are coupled to a light source(not shown) retained in the necked portion 706. Light is transmittedfrom the contained light source through a distal end 711 of theinstrument head 708, using a fiberoptic bundle or other suitable means.The fiberoptic bundle (not shown) is configured as a ringlet of fibersthat surround a distal optical element (not shown) contained within theinstrument head 708. The interior of the instrument head 708 isessentially hollow and includes a conical insertion portion 712 at thedistal end 711, as well as a proximal opening including a proximallyextending eyepiece 710. In use, an otoscopic tip element (a speculumtip) is releasably attached to a conical insertion portion 712 of theinstrument head 708 in which the target of interest (e.g., the tympanicmembrane) can be viewed through contained optics via the proximalopening along a defined optical axis. As noted, further details relatingto the construction and features of the otoscopic device 700, includingthe speculum tip, are discussed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No.7,399,275, herein previously incorporated by reference.

As further shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), an adapter 720 is provided thatis attached to the proximal end of the otoscopic device 600. Accordingto this embodiment, the adapter 720 is defined by a distal engagingportion 724 that is configured for engaging the instrument head 708 ofthe otoscope 700 and a proximal supporting portion 728 that isconfigured to receive a smart device 750, such as a smart phone, asshown. The distal engaging portion 724, according to this specificembodiment, is defined by a pair of resilient fingers 732 that areconfigured to engage a slot or slotted portion 713 formed on an upper ortop surface of the instrument head 708. The proximal supporting portion728 of the adapter 720 includes a recessed slot 736 sized for receivingan interface plate 738 (partially shown in the exploded view of FIG.9(b)) that is first attached to the distal facing side or surface of thesmart device 750, using an alignment and indexing fixture in a mannersimilar to that previously described with regard to FIGS. 2(a)-2(l). Inthis specific version, the slot 736 (or other part of the adapter 720)is further defined by at least one magnet, the adapter 720 furtherhaving a through opening 740 that aligns the optics of the device 700and those of the optics of the smart device 750 opposite a connector 758at the lower portion of the adapter 720. The connector 758 is configuredto engage with and cover the eyepiece 710 of the otoscope 700.

When attached, the smart device 750, including the display 754, issituated substantially above the instrument 700 as is depicted in FIG.9(a) with the optics of the smart device 750 being disposed in properalignment with the optical system of the otoscope 700.

The above described adapter 720 can be utilized with other stand-alonemedical diagnostic or examination devices. For the sake of clarity,similar parts are herein labeled with the same reference numbers. Withreference to FIG. 9(c), an ophthalmoscope 800 includes a handle portion804 that further includes a necked portion 806 for supporting aninstrument head 808. The instrument head 808 retains a plurality ofcomponents to enable viewing of a patient's eye (not shown) and morespecifically the retina (not shown). According to this embodiment, thedevice 800 is configured to with an eyepiece 810 at the proximal end ofthe instrument head 808 in which the interior of the instrument head 808includes a plurality of optical elements as well as an illuminationsystem, the latter having a contained light source for viewing portionsof the eye of the patient. Details relating to the salient features ofthe ophthalmoscope 800 are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,837, theentire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

The adapter 720 is attached to the instrument 800 to permitinterchangeability between instruments and operating modes (between anoptical viewing mode using the eyepiece 810 and an electronic viewingmode using an attached smart device 750). As previously discussed, theadapter 720 includes a distal engaging portion 724 and a proximalsupporting portion 728. The distal engaging portion 724 includes a pairof resilient fingers 732 that are configured to engage a recessed slotor slotted portion 813 provided in an upper surface of the instrumenthead 808. The proximal supporting portion 728 is defined by a verticalsupport surface including a recessed slot (not shown) that receives aninterface plate attached, adhesively or otherwise, to the distal orfront facing side of the smart device 750 preferably in the mannerpreviously described. The adapter 720 further includes a cylindricallyshaped connector portion 758 in a lower portion of the adapter 720 thatis sized to engage the eyepiece 810 of the ophthalmoscope 800 or othermedical stand-alone device and in which a gusset 727 engages a topportion of the instrument head 808 to optionally provide additionalsupport and stability.

With reference to FIG. 9(d), an alternative adapter is depicted for usewith a stand-alone medical diagnostic or examination device (e.g., theotoscope 700 previously discussed). According to this version, theadapter 920 includes a proximal supporting portion 928 that includes anopen end 929 and a pair of laterally disposed guide rails 930, thelatter being sized to receive a smart device 750. According to thisspecific embodiment, the adapter 920 includes a distal engaging portion924 having a set of resilient fingers 932 that are configured to engagethe slotted portion 713 formed on the upper or top surface of theinstrument head 708. The adapter 920 also includes a lower connectorportion 758 that is sized to engage the eyepiece 710 of the diagnosticor examination device 700. Each of the herein described adapters 720,920 enable a smart device, such as device 750, to be attached to atleast one stand-alone medical instrument and permit interchangeableoperating modes (optical and electronic).

Yet another embodiment of a medical instrument assembly or system isillustrated in FIGS. 10(a)-10(b). According to this version, astand-alone medical examination or diagnostic device (e.g., an otoscope1000) is provided that is defined by a housing 1004 further defined by ahandle 1008 that downwardly extends from an instrument head 1010. Theinstrument head 1010 is defined by a distal end 1012 including aconically shaped insertion portion (not shown). The insertion portion isconfigured to releasably support a conically shaped and hollow speculumtip element 1014, the tip element 1014 being releasably attached bymeans of a rotatable actuator knob 1015. Alternatively, the tip element1014 can be secured by manually twisting the element in place onto theconical insertion portion using bayonet or other suitable engagementfeatures. Details relating to the speculum tip element and an exemplaryattaching and releasing mechanism are described in greater detail inU.S. Pat. Nos. 7,354,399 and 8,197,403, each of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

Within the interior of the otoscope 1000 is a light source (not shown)such as an incandescent lamp or at least one LED, which is disposed in alower portion of the instrument head 1010. A bundle of optical fibers(not shown) are coupled to the light source and directed as a ringlet atthe distal end of the conical insertion portion in order to effectivelyilluminate the target of interest. The handle 1008 includes an interiorcompartment that retains at least one battery (not shown) for energizingthe light source. A series of optical elements are disposed within theinterior of the instrument head 1010 and aligned along an optical axiswith a separate optical train being provided within the confines of aneyepiece 1024, the latter being releasably attached to the otoscope 1000in order to create an optical viewing mode.

According to this embodiment an adapter 1020, which is provided at aproximal end of the otoscope 1000, permits attachment of the eyepiece1024. The adapter 1020 includes a set of magnets (not shown) thatpermits releasable and interchangeable attachment of the eyepiece 1024or a smart device 1050, as described below. As noted, the eyepiece 1024includes an interior retaining a series of optical elements that aresuitably aligned with optical elements provided in the interior of theinstrument head 1010. According to this specific embodiment, theeyepiece 1024 is defined by a housing 1027 that is coextensive with thehandle 1008 of the otoscope 1000, including a substantially planardistal facing surface 1029.

With further reference to FIG. 10(a), the adapter 1020 is attached to oraccording to this embodiment is directly integrated as a part of thedevice housing 1004. More specifically, the adapter 1020 is defined by aplanar section 1022 which is disposed within a rear receiving slot 1036of the device housing 1004. This planar section 1022 includes a proximalface surface 1026 having at least one recessed slot (not shown) thatpermits the selective engagement of a smart device 1050, FIG. 10(b). Inaccordance with prior embodiments discussed, such as depicted in FIGS.2(a)-2(l), an attachment device includes at least one retaining slotthat receives an interface plate. The smart device 1050 is thenpositioned in relation to the alignment fixture and the camera of thesmart device 1050 is aimed at an optical target of the alignment fixtureuntil centered in the display of the smart device 1050. Upon centeringand as previously discussed, the smart device 1050 is then engaged withthe supported interface plate(s), the latter having an adhesive layer toprovide securement. The indexing and positioning of the interfaceplate(s) guarantees proper alignment of the smart device 1050 to theotoscope 1000 and more specifically between the interface plate(s) andthe at least one recessed slot (not shown) formed in the proximal facingsurface 1026 of the adapter 1020. The at least one magnet (not shown) isprovided in the adapter 1020 in alignment with the recessed slot(s) toreleasably secure the smart device 1050.

According to this embodiment, the adapter 1020 is supported for pivotalmovement from the rear receiving slot 1036 of the device housing 1004about the optical axis of the device 1000. This pivotability permits theattached smart device 1050 to assume a plurality of adjustable mountingorientations enabling the position of the smart device 1050 to bechanged selectively. Advantageously, this latter feature permitsenhanced operation and versatility.

In terms of operation, the herein described system can be used initiallyin an optical viewing mode as depicted in FIG. 10(a) with the eyepiece1024 being releasably engaged with the proximal facing surface 1026 ofthe adapter 1020. The eyepiece 1024 is releasably attached and can bereleased from the adapter 1020 by disrupting the magnetic attachment. Asshown in FIG. 10(b), the smart device 1050, having an attached interfaceplate(s) (not shown) can then be interchangeably attached in lieu of theeyepiece 1024 by engaging the interface plate with the recessedreceiving slot of the adapter 1020. The magnets according to thisembodiment are directly aligned with the recessed receiving slot on theadapter 1020 to insure attachment. In this latter mode, the camera ofthe smart device 1050 is aligned with the optical axis of the otoscope1000 and the smart device 1050 is further configured to assume aplurality of mounting configurations based on the pivotal connection ofthe adapter 1020 with the remainder of the otoscope 1000.

In either operational mode, the user inserts the speculum tip element1014 a predetermined distance into the outer ear of a patient and theimage of the intended target, as illuminated by the contained lightsource is viewed or transmitted directly along the optical axis toeither the eyepiece 1024 or the smart device 1050 for viewing on thedisplay 1054, FIG. 10(b).

Another medical examination system is depicted in FIGS. 11(a)-11(b).According to this embodiment, the medical diagnostic or examinationdevice used is an ophthalmoscope 1100 defined by a housing 1104 having ahandle portion 1108 and an instrument head 1110. The instrument head1110 is defined by a distal end 1112 that receives an elastomeric eyecup 1116 configured to engage against the patient and a proximal endthat includes an adapter 1120. The interior of the instrument head 1110includes an optical and illumination system that is configured to viewthe eye (e.g., the retina) of a patient (not shown) including a definedoptical axis extending between the distal and proximal ends of thedevice 1100. The adapter 1120, which is similar to that previouslydescribed in the prior embodiment, is configured to interchangeablyreceive either an eyepiece 1124, FIG. 11(a), or a smart device 1050,FIG. 11(b), respectively.

As in the prior otoscopic version, the adapter 1120 is defined by aplanar section 1122 which is disposed within a rear receiving slot ofthe device housing 1104. This planar section 1122 includes a proximal orrear face surface 1126 having at least one recessed slot (not shown)that permits the selective engagement of a smart device 1050. Inaccordance with prior embodiments discussed, such as depicted in FIGS.2(a)-2(l), an alignment fixture includes at least one retaining slotthat receives an interface plate. The smart device 1050 is thenpositioned in relation to the alignment fixture and the camera of thesmart device is aimed at an optical target of the alignment fixtureuntil centered in the display of the smart device. Upon centering and aspreviously discussed, the smart device is then engaged with thesupported interface plate(s), the latter having an adhesive layer toprovide securement. The indexing and positioning of the interfaceplate(s) guarantees proper alignment of the smart device 1050 to theophthalmoscope 1100 and more specifically between the interface plate(s)and the at least one recessed slot formed in the rear facing surface1126 of the adapter 1120. At least one magnet (not shown) is provided inthe adapter 1120 in alignment with the recessed slot(s) to releasablysecure the smart device 1050.

According to this embodiment, the adapter 1120 is supported for pivotalmovement from the rear receiving slot 1136 of the device housing 1104about the optical axis of the device 1100. The adapter 1120 includes adistal engagement portion (not shown) that is disposed over a proximallyextending end (not shown) of the instrument head 1110 in overlayingrelation. This pivotability feature permits the attached smart device1050 to assume a plurality of adjustable mounting orientations about theoptical axis wherein the position of the smart device 1050 can bechanged selectively upon attachment to the adapter 1120 withoutotherwise disturbing optical alignment. For example, the engagementportion can include at least one or more detents (not shown) to providespecific mounting orientations (e.g., each 90 degrees to create four (4)mounting orientations). Advantageously, this latter feature permitsenhanced operation and versatility.

With reference to FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), there is shown anotherembodiment of a medical examination system that permits pivotal movementof an attached smart device. This system includes a medical examinationdevice (i.e., an ophthalmoscope 1200) having a cylindrical handleportion 1206 with an instrument head 1210 attached to an upper part ofthe handle portion 1206. The instrument head 1210 is defined by a distalend 1211 and an opposing proximal end 1213, the distal and proximal ends1211, 1213 defining an aligned optical axis of the assembly. The adapter1220, according to this embodiment, is defined by a substantially planarsection having a distal facing surface 1226 and a proximal facingsurface 1228. The proximal facing surface 1228 includes at least onerecessed slot (not shown) that is configured for receiving an interfaceplate (not shown) attached to the front facing side of a smart device1050, in a manner as previously described. According to this embodiment,the distal facing surface 1226 of the adapter 1220 includes at least onemagnet directly aligned with the recessed slot, as well as a distalengagement portion including an open upper end and a channel that isconfigured to receive an eyepiece portion of the instrument head 1210.The eyepiece portion according to this embodiment includes a neckedportion including a proximal lip that axially secures the adapter 1220once attached to the device 1200.

When attached, the necked portion can be slidingly engaged within thedefined channel with the proximal lip being retained within the channel.In at least one variation, the channel and the proximal lip areconfigured to permit the adapter (and attached smart device) to assume aplurality of mounting orientations, such as shown in FIGS. 12(a) and12(b), as well as FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) depicting another stand-alonemedical device, i.e., an otoscope 1300 having a handle portion 1306downwardly extending from an instrument head 1310 having respectivedistal and proximal ends 1311, 1313. As in the preceding, the otoscope1300 can be similarly configured with the same or similarly configuredadapter 1320 that permits the further attachment of a smart device that,upon attachment, can be oriented in various orientations based on apivotal connection between the medical device and the adapter. As in thepreceding, the adapter 1320 is a planar section having a distal facingsurface 1326, a proximal facing surface 1328 and a distal engagementportion (not shown) that is sized to overlay the proximal eyepiece endof the instrument head 1310.

With reference to FIGS. 14(a)-15(c), an adapter 1500 in accordance withanother embodiment is herein described. The adapter 1500 is preferablyfabricated from a lightweight structural material, such as a moldableplastic, having a supporting member or body 1504 that includes a forwardor front facing side 1507 and a rear facing side 1509, respectively. Theadapter 1500 is further configured with a device connection portion 1512extending from the front facing side 1507 that is configured forattaching the adapter 1500 to a medical examination device. The adapter1500 is further configured such that a smart device 1550 can bereleasably or otherwise attached to the rear facing side 1509 of thesupporting member 1504. A center portion 1520 located on the rear facingside 1509 is sized for accommodating an interface plate (not shown) thatis attached to the smart device 1550 (e.g., a smart phone). Theinterface plate can be properly located and positioned on the smartdevice 1550 by means of a fixture such as shown in FIGS. 2(a)-2(l) or asimilar technique for purposes of aligning the camera of the smartdevice 1550 with the optical system of the medical examination device,as further discussed herein. A set of magnets 1511 provided in thecenter portion 1520 releasably secures the smart device 1550 in positionon the adapter 1500.

According to this embodiment, the device connection portion 1512 isdefined by an outer surface 1515 which is parallel to the front facingsurface 1507 with a shaped recess 1530 formed between the surfaces 1507,1515 that is configured for releasable engagement with a proximalreceiving portion 1564, FIG. 15(c), of a medical examination device1560, FIG. 15(c). A portion of the outer surface 1515 is cutout as shownby 1517, the cutout portion 1517 being aligned with a through opening1519 formed in the supporting member 1504. One end of a release lever1524 is disposed in relation to the device attachment portion 1512,wherein the opposite end of the lever 1524 is accessed by a user to movethe lever 1524 between undepressed and depressed positions as shown inFIGS. 14(a) and 14(c), respectively. The end of the release lever 1524disposed in relation to the device connection portion 1512 is engaged bya spring-loaded pin 1540, partially shown, that is movable into and outof the shaped recess 1530 of the device connection portion 1512. A stop1544 disposed on the front facing side 1507 of the adapter 1500 providesa limit for movement of the release lever 1524 for the depressedposition.

The design of the adapter 1500 enables a plurality of smart devices,such as smart phones, each being different in terms of overall footprintto be releasably attached in a specific orientation. As noted and forlocating the smart phone according to this version, an interface platesuch as previously described above is placed specifically on the frontfacing side of the smart device 1550 before releasably securing thesmart device 1550 to the rear facing side 1509 of the adapter 1500. Whenattached in this manner, the camera aperture 1554 of the smart device1550 is aligned with the through opening 1519 of the adapter 1550.

Referring to FIGS. 15(a)-15(c), the adapter 1500 is shown as attached toa medical examination device 1560 that includes an instrument head orhousing 1568 having a proximal receiving portion 1564. The proximalreceiving portion 1564 according to this embodiment is a substantiallycylindrical portion that extends rearwardly from the proximal end of theinstrument head 1568. The receiving portion 1564 further includes achannel 1572, the latter preferably having a plurality of flats (notshown in this view, but shown as 1430 in a similar medical device shownin FIG. 22(b). The formed recess 1530 is aligned so that the adapter1500 can be slid over the proximal receiving portion 1564 (in adirection into and out of the plane of the drawing). When engaged, theupper surface 1515 engages the channel 1572 and the formed recess 1530is engaged by an outer ringed portion 1575 of the proximal receivingportion 1564. When engaged, the through opening 1519 of the adapter 1500is aligned with the optical axis of the medical examination device,including a set of eyepiece lenses 1580, 1582 disposed in the interiorof the proximal receiving portion 1564. According to this embodiment,the adapter 1500 can assume one of a plurality of mounting orientationsby placing the device connection portion 1512 of the adapter 1500 andmore specifically the shaped recess 1530 relative to the proximal end ofthe medical device 1560.

In operation and when the adapter 1500 is not attached, the medicaldevice 1560 can be used in an optical viewing mode to view the target ofinterest through the proximal end, which includes a brow rest 1590. Themedical device 1560 can be alternatively used in an electronic imagingmode when the adapter 1500 is attached in which the aperture 1554 of theattached smart device 1550 is aligned with regard to the convergencepoint of the optics of the medical device 1560 such that the smartdevice 1550 receives a focused image of the medical target of interest.According to this embodiment, the adapter 1500 enables the attachment ofone of a plurality of disparate smart devices and in which the attachedsmart device 1550 is fully aligned with the optical system of themedical device 1560. Each of the above operating modes can be realizedwithout modification to the medical device 1560 by the inclusion orremoval of the adapter 1500. That is, no additional optical module isrequired.

In addition to being configured to receive one of a plurality ofdifferent smart devices, the herein described adapter 1500 can be usedwith a plurality of disparate medical diagnostic instruments, eachhaving a proximal end and receiving portion as described for purposes ofattachment. These instruments can include, but are not limited to aophthalmoscope, an otoscope, a colposcope, a dermatoscope, a rhinoscope,an anoscope or other hand-held medical examination device. For exampleand in a wellness examination, the adapter 1500 (and attached smartdevice 1550) can be interchangeably used with an otoscope and anophthalmoscope for viewing the ears and the eyes, respectively, usingthe display of the connected smart device 1550. It will be understood,however, that the connective features of this embodiment is an examplewherein other suitable configurations are possible for enabling theabove-described functions.

With reference to FIGS. 16-19, a number of optical configurations aredepicted based on the various operating modes of the herein describedexamination system and as typified by the preceding structuralembodiments. For purposes of this discussion, these schematic diagramspertain to otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes in keeping with the embodimentspreviously discussed. It should be understood that other versions couldbe contemplated.

In certain ophthalmoscopes, optical adjustments can be accomplished inthe removable eyepiece of the instrument. For purposes ofinterchangeability and additional operating modes for the hereindescribed examination system and when a smart device was used in thecombination with the ophthalmoscope during tests, it was determined thatthe device needed a focus range of about +/−10 diopters to accommodateall patients, while the imaging system of known smart devices typicallyonly had a focus range of about +/−3 diopters. Based on the foregoing,it was concluded that there is a need to move the focus adjustment tothe patient end (distal) of the instrument to permit focusing in bothoperational modes of the system; that is either with or without a smartdevice being attached.

FIGS. 16 and 17 herein present schematic views of the optical system ofthe ophthalmoscope 1200 that is configured to provide focusableadjustment of an optical element (objective lens) retained within theinstrument head (not shown). First and with reference to FIG. 16, afocusable objective lens 1230 is disposed within the instrument headdistally of a beam splitter 1234 and a set of focusing or imaging lenses1238, each commonly aligned along a defined optical axis 1244. An imagesensor 1248 of a smart device attached to the proximal end of themedical device 1200 is also aligned with above optical elements. Thebeam splitter 1234 is configured to receive illumination from anoff-axis light source 1260 such as an LED or an incandescent bulb, thelight emitted by this source 1260 being directed to the eye 1280 of apatient (shown schematically) while further permitting reflected lightfrom the patient's eye 1280 to be transmitted and focused at the camerasensor 1248 by the focusing lenses 1238.

By optionally making the objective lens 1230 axially movable accordingto this embodiment, an increased focus range can be achieved. In thisconfiguration, the autofocus function of the attached smart deviceshould be disabled. The optical system of the instrument 1200 and morespecifically the contained objective lens 1230 can be optionallyadjustable according to one version using a focusing mechanism, such asa focusing knob (not shown) provided on the instrument head. Detailsrelating to one example of a focusing mechanism for use in a medicalexamination device is more completely described in U.S. Pat. No.7,399,275, previously incorporated by reference. The focusable objectivelens can according to one embodiment be adjusted +/−20 diopters, orminimally +/−10 diopters.

In lieu of the smart device, an optical layout is presented in FIG. 17that again includes the objective lens 1230, the beam splitter 1234 andthe focusing or imaging lenses 1238 each commonly disposed along thedefined optical axis 1244 of the device 1200 extending through thedistal and proximal ends of the instrument head along with the alignedoptical train of an attached eyepiece, such as shown. In this version,the optical train of the attached eyepiece includes a plurality of fixedeyepiece lenses 1288 and a distal aperture stop 1292, each also alignedalong the defined optical axis 1244 for viewing by the eye 1296 of thedoctor. As in the previous example, the objective lens 1230 containedwithin the instrument head is axially movable to increase the focusingrange of the device 1200.

Similar arrangements can be provided in another medical examination ordiagnostic device. Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, imaging and optical(eyepiece) modes are shown schematically for an otoscope 1300 that isdefined by a distal lens 1332 disposed in relation to the speculum tipelement shown partially as 1336, the latter being releasably attached tothe distal end of the instrument head. The distal lens 1332 according tothis embodiment is covered by a plano window 1338 wherein a field stop1342 is provided in relation to a focusable objective lens 1346, whichin this version is a doublet defined by a first lens 1347 and a secondlens 1348. The first distalmost lens 1347 is defined by a distal planosurface and an opposing concave surface. The second adjacent lens 1348of this doublet is defined by a distal concave surface and an opposingplano surface. Each of the above optical elements are commonly alignedalong a defined optical or imaging axis 1350 extending through thedistal and proximal ends with the instrument having an attached speculumtip element 1336, also shown schematically according to these examples.In the version shown in FIG. 18, the system includes an opticallyaligned smart device, shown diagrammatically as 1354, the deviceincluding a camera aperture as well as an image sensor disposed andaligned along the defined optical axis 1350, such as through use of aninterface plate and adapter as described with regard to FIGS.12(a)-15(c).

As shown in FIG. 19, the otoscope 1300 alternatively receives theattached eyepiece, which includes a set of fixed eyepiece optics 1364and an aperture stop 1368 that is aligned with the eye of the doctor orcaregiver along the defined optical or imaging axis of the assembly. Ineach depicted version, the focusable objective lens 1346 is disposedadjacent the proximal end of the instrument head (not shown) and alignedwith the camera lens and the image sensor of the attached smart deviceor the eyepiece. A focusing mechanism can also be provided, such asdescribed, by way of example, in previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No.7,399,275. In terms of operation, an image of the tympanic membrane,shown schematically as 1312, is transmitted through a plano window atthe distal end of the conical insertion portion and through an adjacentdistal lens through a field stop and then to the focusable objectivelens 1346, which condenses the image taken through either the attachedeyepiece to the doctor's eye 1362 or smart device. It should be notedthat the optical systems described are merely exemplary and otheroptical systems can be similarly aligned, for example, with an adaptersuch as 1500 to permit separate operating modes.

With additional reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, FIG. 20 illustrates anoptical layout of the corresponding off-axis illumination system. Lightfrom the contained light source 1260, such as an LED or an incandescentbulb is directed through a condenser lens 1264 along a definedillumination axis 1268 and reflected from the angled surface of thebeamsplitter 1234. This light is then further directed through theobjective lens 1230 and is focused at the eye of the patient 1280.According to this version, a series of fixation lights 1270 are providedat the distal end of the instrument head. The number of fixation lightsused can be varied. According to one example, at least two fixationlights can be provided that are diametrically opposed about the distalaperture of the instrument 1200 that are separately operated from thecontained illumination source 1260. In terms of operation, the caregiverwould move the device toward the eye of the patient and activate one ofthe fixation lights 1270. The patent would be requested to concentratehis or her vision on the fixation light 1270. By including multiplefixation lights, different portions of the retina can be examined byrequesting the patient focus on the fixation lights in sequence andobtain measurements. In one example, a ringlet of several fixationlights could be disposed in which the images obtained using a smartdevice or other can be stitched and effectively cover a larger portionof the retina (15-30 degrees or more, enabling the determination ofdiabetic retinopathy. In another version, various other eye-relateddiagnoses can be obtained such as, but not limited to hypertension(artery-to-vein ratio), macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes, andthose relating to retinal detachments.

With reference to FIG. 21, each of the herein described instruments canbe provided for access to a user in kit form, by defining a mountingunit 1800 that includes a plurality of slots 1808 formed in a supportsurface 1804 for accommodating various stand-alone medical diagnostic orexamination devices 1814, as well as interchangeably mounted smartdevices, adapters and eyepieces. Each of the various embodiments thatare depicted can be provided for mounting to either a wall or similarstructure (not shown) or can be mounted to other fixturing such as amovable cart in which the mounting can be permanent to releasabledepending on the application. The mounting unit according to at leastone version can include a supporting frame that is filled with a softcompliant material. The number of shaped slots formed in the filledcompliant material can be are sized to receive, for example a pair ofmedical diagnostic or examination devices and accessories such aseyepieces and the like. The medical devices 1814 can be stored bypositioning the distal end of the medical devices within the shapedslots 1808 with a portion of the devices 1814 being directly insertedinto the slots 1808 and remaining portion being accessible, as needed,for removal by a user. The mounting units 1800 can be appropriatelyshaped with either the mounting surface 1804 or the supporting surfacesof the units 1800 being angled to provide additional versatility. In thedepicted version, the mounting unit 1800 is configured to accommodatevarious forms of stand-alone medical devices, including versionspreviously discussed with reference to FIGS. 5(a)-6(d). It will bereadily apparent to the person of sufficient skill in the field thatother modifications and variations are possible, including versions inwhich the batteries of each of the retained instruments can be charged.

FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b) herein depict another medical examination devicemade in accordance with aspects of the present invention and morespecifically an ophthalmoscope 1400. More specifically, theophthalmoscope 1400 is defined by a handle portion 1406 (partiallyshown) and an instrument head 1410 that is releasably connected to anecked upper portion 1409 of the handle portion 1406. A light source1415 forming a portion of an illumination system is powered by batteries(not shown) that are contained in the handle portion 1406. Optics arecontained and aligned along respective optical and illumination axeswithin the interior of the instrument head 1410. The illumination axisextends upwardly from the contained light source 1415 through a numberof optical elements 1417 including a rotatable aperture wheel 1420formed in a lower portion of the instrument head 1410 in which light isdirected to a distal end 1412 of the instrument head 1410 for directingto the eye of a patient (not shown). The optical system includes aseries of optical elements 1419 that are aligned along an optical axisextending through the distal end 1412 and a proximal end 1416 of theinstrument head 1410. A rotatable diopter wheel 1424 is also disposedalong the defined optical axis near the proximal end 1416 of the device1400. Additional details relating to an optical and illumination systemuseful with this design can be found in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2016/0073875A1 and U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2015/0103317A1, the entire contents of which are herein incorporatedby reference.

The proximal end 1416 of the herein described instrument 1400 caninclude an interface that permits the attachment of an adapter, such aspreviously described with regard to FIGS. 14(a)-15(c). Morespecifically, the proximal end 1416 of the instrument 1400 is defined byan outer lipped portion 1426, as well as a channel 1430 disposed betweenthe lipped portion 1426 and a rear wall 1431 of the instrument head1410. An adapter 1500, FIGS. 14(a)-14(c), as previously discussed, isdefined by a supporting member having respective front and rear facingsurfaces. The rear facing surface of the adapter 1500 includes arecessed area that is positioned to receive at least one interface plateof an attached smart device in a releasable fashion. As in the priordescribed embodiment, the adapter 1500 is further defined by anopen-ended engagement portion that is sized and configured to engage theproximal end 1416 of the instrument 1400 with the lipped portion 1426 ofthe proximal end 1416 fitting within a formed channel of the open-endeddevice engagement portion and the channel 1430 of the proximal endfitting engaging a shoulder of the engagement portion. According to thisembodiment, the channel 1430 is defined by four substantially flat sidesto enable the adapter 1500 to be fitted in a plurality of mountingorientations. Alternatively, the channel can be defined by a cylindricalor other shaped surface. According to one version, detents can beprovided to enable rotation of the attached smart device to a pluralityof mounting orientations while still maintaining the optical alignmentbetween the camera of the attached smart device and the optical systemof the instrument 1400. Other suitable configurations such as flats inthe channel can be contemplated for providing similar capabilities.

PARTS LIST FOR FIGS. 1-22(B)

-   10 stand-alone medical diagnostic or examination device    (ophthalmoscope)-   14 instrument housing-   16 distal end-   18 proximal end-   20 frame or supporting structure-   24 parallel channels or slots-   32 smart device-   100 alignment fixture-   100A alignment fixture-   104 interface plate-   105 hole, interface plate-   106 upper side, interface plate-   107 slot, interface plate-   108 raised platform-   109A planar support surface-   110A slot-   111A pinhole-   112 upper or top surface-   116 legs-   117 support flange-   118 optical target-   118A optical target-   120 elongate slot-   130A x-axis adjustment assembly-   134A y-axis adjustment assembly-   137A screw adjustment member-   138A spring-loaded adjustment or support block-   139A spring-loaded adjustment or support block-   140 smart device-   140A smart device-   141A screw adjustment member-   143A beam-like member-   144 display-   144A display-   145A beam-like member-   146 camera, smart device-   148 target-   148A target-   149A image of optical target-   160 otoscope-   164 housing-   169 rear or proximal opening-   176 rear or proximal facing surface-   180 spaced magnets-   198 calibration target-   200 stand-alone medical examination device-   204 first interface plate-   207 rear facing side, medical device-   208 second interface plate-   214 magnet-   216 facing surface-   217 magnet-   220 smart device-   223 front facing surface-   300 medical diagnostic or examination device-   303 distal end, device-   305 back or proximal surface-   309 magnetic interface-   311 magnet-   320 eyepiece-   324 housing, eyepiece-   326 proximal end, eyepiece-   328 focusing knob, eyepiece-   360 smart device-   364 display, smart device-   400 medical diagnostic or examination device-   403 distal end, device-   405 back or proximal surface, device-   409 magnetic interface-   412 magnet-   500 medical diagnostic or examination device-   503 distal end, device-   504 body or housing-   505 back or proximal surface, device-   508 handle-   509 magnetic interface-   510 instrument head-   511 magnet-   600 medical diagnostic or examination device-   603 distal end, device-   604 body or housing-   605 back or proximal surface, device-   608 handle-   609 magnetic interface-   610 instrument head-   611 magnet-   700 otoscope-   704 handle portion-   706 upper necked portion-   708 instrument head-   710 eyepiece-   711 distal end-   712 conical insertion portion-   713 slotted portion or slot-   720 adapter-   724 distal engaging portion-   727 gusset-   728 proximal supporting portion-   732 resilient fingers-   736 recessed slot-   738 interface plate-   740 through opening-   750 smart device-   754 display-   758 connector or connector portion-   800 ophthalmoscope-   804 handle portion-   806 necked portion-   808 instrument head-   810 eyepiece-   813 slot or slotted portion-   920 adapter-   924 distal engaging portion-   928 proximal supporting portion-   929 open end-   930 guide rails-   932 resilient fingers-   958 connector or connector portion-   1000 otoscope-   23063301.1-   1004 housing-   1008 handle-   1010 instrument head-   1012 distal end-   1014 speculum tip element-   1015 actuator knob-   1020 adapter-   1022 planar section, adapter-   1024 eyepiece-   1026 proximal facing or face surface-   1027 housing, eyepiece-   1029 distal facing surface, eyepiece-   1036 slot, receiving-   1050 smart device-   1054 display-   1100 ophthalmoscope-   1104 housing-   1108 handle portion-   1110 instrument head-   1112 distal end-   1116 elastomeric eye cup-   1120 adapter-   1122 planar section-   1124 eyepiece-   1126 rear facing surface, adapter-   1136 rear slot-   1200 ophthalmoscope-   1206 handle portion-   1210 instrument head-   1211 distal end-   23063301.1-   1213 proximal end-   1220 adapter-   1226 distal facing or face surface, adapter-   1228 proximal facing surface, adapter-   1230 objective lens-   1234 beam splitter-   1238 focusing/imaging lenses-   1244 optical axis-   1248 image sensor-   1260 light source-   1264 condenser lens-   1268 illumination axis-   1270 fixation lights-   1280 eye, patient-   1284 image sensor-   1284 eyepiece-   1288 fixed lenses-   1292 aperture stop-   1296 doctor's eye-   1300 otoscope-   1306 handle portion-   1310 instrument head-   1311 distal end-   1313 proximal end-   1320 adapter-   1326 distal facing surface-   1328 proximal facing surface-   1332 distal lens-   1336 speculum-   1338 plano window-   23063301.1-   1342 field stop-   1346 focusable objective lens-   1348 second lens-   1350 optical axis-   1354 smart device-   1362 doctor's eye-   1364 fixed eyepiece lenses-   1368 aperture stop-   1400 ophthalmoscope-   1406 handle portion-   1409 upper necked portion-   1410 instrument head-   1412 distal end-   1415 light source-   1416 proximal end-   1417 optical elements-   1419 optical elements-   1420 aperture wheel-   1424 diopter wheel-   1426 lipped portion-   1430 channel-   1431 rear wall, instrument head-   1500 adapter-   1504 supporting member or body-   1507 forward or front facing side, adapter-   1509 rear facing side, adapter-   1511 magnets-   1512 device connection portion-   1515 outer surface-   1517 cutout portion, outer surface-   23063301.1-   1519 through opening, supporting member-   1520 center portion-   1524 release lever-   1530 shaped recess-   1540 spring-loaded pin-   1544 stop-   1550 smart device-   1554 aperture, camera-   1560 medical examination device-   1564 proximal receiving portion-   1568 housing, device-   1572 channel-   1575 outer ringed portion-   1580 eyepiece lens-   1582 eyepiece lens-   1590 browrest-   1600 medical examination device-   1604 proximal end-   1608 shoulder, annular-   1612 channel-   1616 interior-   1620 optical element-   1624 seal-   1628 opening, end-   1700 medical examination device-   1704 proximal end-   1708 shoulder, annular-   1712 channel-   1716 interior-   1720 optical element-   1722 optical element-   1726 opening, end-   1800 mount-   1804 support surface-   1808 slots

The invention is inclusive of combinations of the aspects describedherein. References to “a particular aspect” (or “embodiment” or“version”) and the like refer to features that are present in at leastone aspect of the invention. Separate references to “an aspect” or“particular aspects” or the like do not necessarily refer to the sameaspect or aspects; however, such aspects are not mutually exclusive,unless so indicated or as are readily apparent to one of skill in theart. The use of singular or plural in referring to “method” or “methods”and the like is not limiting. The word “or” is used in this disclosurein a non-exclusive sense, unless otherwise explicitly noted.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred aspects thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations, combinations, and modifications can be effected by a personof ordinary skill in the art within the intended spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. An adapter for interconnecting a smart device with a medicalexamination device, said adapter comprising: a distal connecting portionfor enabling releasable attachment to a proximal end of the medicalexamination device; a proximal connecting portion configured to supportthe smart device, the smart device having an integrated camera and adisplay; and one or more interface plates secured to a front facing sideof the smart device, wherein the proximal connecting portion isconfigured to engage the one or more attached interface plates such thatthe camera is aligned with an optical axis of the medical examinationdevice upon attachment of the distal connecting portion to the proximalend of the medical examination device.
 2. The adapter according to claim1, in which the distal connecting portion includes an opening configuredfor alignment with the optical axis of the medical examination devicewhen the adapter is attached to the medical examination device.
 3. Theadapter according to claim 1, further comprising a lever configured forreleasing the adapter from the medical examination device.
 4. Theadapter according to claim 3, in which the distal connecting portionincludes a spring-loaded pin that is movable into and out of a definedrecess sized to engage the proximal end of the medical examinationdevice, the lever being movable to a position enabling release of theadapter from the medical examination device.
 5. The adapter according toclaim 1, in which the adapter is rotatably movable to a plurality ofmounting orientations about the optical axis when the distal connectingportion is attached to the proximal end of the medical examinationdevice.
 6. The adapter according to claim 1, in which the adapter isconfigured to position a camera aperture of the smart device at aconvergence point of an optical system of the medical examinationequivalent to that of a viewer's eye using an eyepiece of the medicalexamination device.
 7. The adapter according to claim 1, in which theadapter is configured for releasable attachment to one or more of agroup of medical examination devices, the group including an otoscope,an ophthalmoscope, a dermatoscope, a rhinoscope and a colposcope.
 8. Theadapter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more interface platesare made from a metal, wherein the adapter further comprises at leastone magnet disposed on the proximal connecting portion for releasablysecuring the one or more interface plates.
 9. The adapter according toclaim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to support a selected one ofa plurality of smart devices and optically align the camera of theselected smart device with the optical axis of the medical examinationdevice upon attachment.
 10. The adapter according to claim 1, whereinthe distal connecting portion is configured for attachment to at leastone of an otoscope and an ophthalmoscope.
 11. An adapter comprising: aplanar support surface configured to releasably retain a smart device,the smart device having an integrated camera and a display; a deviceconnecting portion distally extending from the planar support surfaceand having a formed opening, the device connecting portion beingconfigured for releasable attachment to a proximal end of a medicalexamination device; and one or more interface plates positioned on thesmart device such that when the device connecting portion is attached tothe proximal end of the medical examination device, the camera of thesmart device is aligned with an optical axis of the medical examinationdevice.
 12. The adapter of claim 11, in which the device connectingportion is configured to enable a supported smart device to assume aplurality of rotatable mounting orientations about the optical axis ofthe medical examination device to which the adapter is attached.
 13. Theadapter according to claim 11, including a lever for releasing theadapter from the medical examination device.
 14. The adapter accordingto claim 11, further comprising at least one magnet positioned on theplanar support surface for engaging one or more of the interface plates.15. A method for configuring a smart device for a medical examination ofa patient, the smart device comprising a housing having an integratedcamera and display, the method comprising: using an alignment device,positioning one or more interface plates on the smart device; securingthe smart device to a proximal connecting portion of an adapter; andattaching a distal connecting portion of the adapter to a proximal endof the medical examination device, wherein the secured smart device isautomatically aligned with an optical axis of the medical examinationdevice.
 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:positioning the smart device on a mounting surface of the alignmentdevice; aligning the camera of the smart device with an optical targeton the alignment device in which the optical target is centered in thedisplay of the smart device; and attaching the one or more interfaceplates through one or more openings provided on the mounting surface ofthe alignment device.
 17. The method according to claim 15, furthercomprising rotating the adapter about the optical axis of the medicalexamination device to enable the secured smart phone to assume one of aplurality of orientations.
 18. The method according to claim 15, whereinthe smart device is one of a plurality of disparately sized smartdevices.
 19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the medicalexamination device is one or more of a group of medical examinationdevices including an otoscope, an ophthalmoscope, a dermatoscope, acolposcope, and a rhinoscope.
 20. The method according to claim 15,further comprising rotating the adapter relative to the medicalexamination device to enable the attached smart device to assume one ofa plurality of rotational configurations.